SC Gov. Nikki Haley on economic trip to undisclosed location

Gov. Nikki Haley left Sunday for an undisclosed location on an economic development trip, her office said.

S.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt joined her on the trip that lasts through Wednesday, the governor’s office said. A flight manifest with the S.C. Aeronautics Commission shows Hitt flying on a state plane to Washington Dulles International Airport on Sunday afternoon with three “confidential” passengers.

Haley’s office would disclose neither the location nor the industrial prospect. Top state lawmakers said they had no knowledge about the governor’s trip.

But recent speculation about big projects has centered on plant sites for two auto manufacturers.

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Volvo is looking at the Southeast and made inquiries with several state legislatures about economic development incentive packages, including South Carolina, according to a Financial Times report.

South Carolina also is in the mix for a Jaguar Land Rover plant, according to several automotive trade websites.

Volvo declined comment Monday and Jaguar Land Rover said it is exploring many options.

Haley is traveling with other Commerce officials, a member of the governor’s staff and a security detail, her office said.

“Due to the competitive nature of economic development, ongoing projects are confidential,” Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey said. “But we will release details of the governor’s trip, including the costs of travel, as soon as we are able to.”

N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory made an economic development trip to the United Kingdom in January.